A Vibrant Look into Mary Benson’s Artistic World

Layers of Light

By Anna Simpson | Photography courtesy of Mary Benson

Vulnerability and vision are essential for an artist. True resonance in art demands courage, passion, a deep well of inspiration, and more than just talent. Mary Benson, celebrated for her vibrant and bold landscape paintings, masterfully transports viewers to North Carolina’s breathtaking scenery. In this exclusive VIE interview, Mary discusses the encouraging words that ignited her full-time art career, her methods for overcoming creative blocks, and the natural beauty that continuously fuels her artistic inspiration.

VIE: Did you always know that you wanted to be an artist?

Mary: Growing up, I didn’t see myself as an artistic person. My sister was the more artsy one, and I was the sporty girl. This changed in high school when I had a great teacher who saw potential in me and encouraged me in my artistic pursuits. This encouragement sparked a passion that has helped guide me throughout my life.

After this, I knew I wanted to be an artist. I worked as a graphic designer for the first few years of my career and grew my art business on the side. As my art career began to take off, I started to see a clear path to making it my full-time vocation. There was a period when my art business was gaining momentum, but I was still working full-time, which meant making sacrifices—whether that was time with friends or other hobbies. I knew I needed to put my head down and reach a point where I felt comfortable making the leap.

In 2023, I finally quit my job. I worked part-time for another artist for six months, then took my art full-time! It has been a journey, but I’m incredibly thankful for every step. I genuinely believe that everything happens for a reason.

VIE: That’s an amazing story, and a true testament to how one person’s encouragement can ignite passion and self-belief. I’m curious, where do you find your inspiration?

Mary: I have always loved being outside, whether I was swimming in the ocean or hiking up a mountain, I find myself drawn to the freedom and connection felt through spending time outdoors. My hope is that my art can bring the joy and peace of being surrounded by God’s creation into people’s homes.

My unique artistic style gained inspiration from post-impressionism and Fauvism. The shapes reflect stained glass-inspired imagery. I achieve this by layering textured oil paint over a wash of acrylic, allowing the underpainting to peek through. I then use bold lines and dynamic movements throughout each piece, piecing together a mosaic of color that unifies the composition. By sharing my love of nature through these paintings, I hope to inspire others to appreciate the beauty of the world around them and find their own moments of solace amidst the chaos of modern life.

VIE: In what ways does your appreciation for the outdoors inform your artistic creations?

Mary: Spending time outside really grounds me. It reminds me how small I am in the best possible way—there’s so much more out there and being in nature helps me slow down and find perspective. I draw a lot of peace and inspiration from the natural world, and I think that sense of wonder and calmness shows up in my work.

VIE: Mary, your perspective is truly beautiful. I would love to hear more about your creative process.

Mary: My process usually begins with an underpainting in acrylic to build structure and depth. From there, I layer oil paint on top, letting the colors evolve as I go. Color is one of the biggest drivers in my work—I love experimenting with unexpected palettes and combinations that evoke a specific mood or feeling. There’s a lot of intuition involved, and I try to leave room for surprises.

VIE: As a fellow creative, I often find that starting is the most challenging part. Do you experience this, and if so, how do you overcome moments when inspiration is scarce?

Mary: Absolutely. Getting started can be the most challenging part for me, too. I often have so many ideas floating around that it’s tough to choose just one and commit. Once I begin, I can get into a flow, but getting to that point takes intention. Walks help clear my head, and I love creating mood boards with colors, imagery, or compositions that speak to me—it helps me focus and build momentum when I’m stuck.

VIE: In a world full of distractions and chaos, what message do you hope to convey to those who experience your art?

Mary: I hope my art offers a moment of stillness—a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel a sense of beauty, connection, and peace when they see it. My work often centers around nature, community, and color, and I hope it reminds people to pause and appreciate the world around them, even if just for a moment.

VIE: Your art has such a distinctive style. Was this a gradual evolution, or did you discover it early in your artistic journey? What led you to find your unique creative voice?

Mary: Thank you! It’s definitely evolved over time and continues to do so. I’ve always been drawn to painting nature, but the style I work in now really started to take shape around 2018. I had more of a breakthrough in 2020 when I started leaning into bold color, stained-glass-inspired shapes, and layering. That’s when things began to click and feel more like me.

VIE: That’s incredible—it must have felt so rewarding to see your artistic voice come through so clearly. So, what inspired your painting, Full House?

Mary: I’ve always loved florals and patterns, and this piece was about the beauty of people coming together—bringing their stories, perspectives, and energy into one space. I experimented with visual perspective in the objects to reflect the idea of different viewpoints. It was an enjoyable one to create and pushed me creatively.

VIE: In your artistic journey, how do you navigate creative blocks or periods of self-doubt?

Mary: Having a strong support system helps so much. My sister is an artist too, and it’s incredibly valuable to bounce ideas off of her and encourage each other through creative highs and lows. My husband is also amazing—he helps keep me grounded when I start to spiral or feel like giving up on a piece. And ultimately, I’ve learned that the best way out is through. Even when it feels hard or uninspired, I try to keep showing up. The flow always returns.

VIE: Of all your creations, which one holds the most profound personal meaning for you?

Mary: Golden Light is a special one. It felt like a breakthrough moment—like my voice and vision aligned, and everything just clicked. This piece has continued to influence a lot of my work since I created it.

VIE: Are there any artists, past or present, that helped influence your work?

Mary: Definitely. I’m deeply inspired by both historical and contemporary artists—Van Gogh and Matisse for their color and emotion, Alice Neel for her boldness, and more recently, Blakely Little and Erin Hanson for their vibrant interpretations of nature.

VIE: What do you envision for the future of your art and career?

Mary: I just want to keep creating and evolving. I hope my work continues to grow as I grow—personally and artistically. I’d love to participate in an artist residency at some point and explore how new environments and communities could influence my perspective and process.

VIE: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Mary: Just gratitude. I feel fortunate to get to do what I love and to share it with others. Art has always been a way for me to connect—with myself, with nature, and with people—and I’m excited to keep exploring where that path leads.

VIE: Mary, thank you!

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Mary Benson is an artist based in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can keep up with Mary on

Instagram @marybensonart or visit her website, MaryBensonArt.com, to shop her original paintings and prints.